Chapter 1Introduction to the History and Science of PsychologyDefinitionPsychology: the science of behavior and mental processes (the mind)Greek words “Psyche” __mind_ “logo” the study ofMuch of psychology studies normal rather than abnormal behavior Philosophical and Physiological Roots of PsychologyThe Mind-Body Issue: Rene Descartes- are the mind and body separate entities or one in thesame?- Mind influences body and body influences mind. But what came first? Nativist View: What are we born with or are we a blank state?Darwin: Influence with pysch as a science. How and why did our species evolve to be modern day humans? Pyschologists study how our ancestors figured out how to dominate the planet the way that we do.Nature and Nurture: How much of our behavior comes from our biology and how much comes from our environment?Nature- biologyNuture- environment- parents, raised, abused, siblings ** environment important bc it can turn on and off genes ** They work togetherEarly Schools of Thought- began in 1870s for pyschologyStructuralists: (Wundt & Titchener)- analyzed sensations, images and feelings into basic elementsWundt- scientists who knew chemistry- used periodic table for guideline which he called STRUCTURALISM- believed we can break the human mind down into its most elemental pieces- DID NOT WORK because hard to compartmental our mindsIntrospection (means analyzing)- looking inward to describe experiences- the two of them blindfolded people and gave them something to eat- GOAL: wanted people to describe the experience in their most elemental experiences- RESULT- everyone describes it differently so its hard to compartmentalize the experience** ^v BOTH PEOPLE are credited as the founders of psychology ****Functionalists (James & Calkins (calkins= first women to be in psych): analyzed the function or purpose of behavior- wanted to study the PURPOSE of the mind- why do we have this mind? What is the function of our mind?Modern Schools of Thought1. Biological: Nature: how the body influences behavior, thoughts, feelings- Nervous system- Brain chemicals- Hormones- Genetics- Evolutionary psychology- how our adaptive evolution affects us todayTwins- identical when didn’t even know each other- used the same exact everything2. Learning/Behaviorism: Nurture- how environment and experience affect behavior, thoughts, feelingsBehaviorism- what we can see- Reinforcement and punishment- Strict radical behaviorists- Skinner and Watson- believes biology has nothing to do with anything- it is all what you learn- not true though- But environment can shape your genes as well- Behavior modification3. Cognitive: how thoughts affect behavior, feelings- go into something with a positive attitude, will be better for you- thoughts are your reality- Reasoning- Memory- Intelligence- Beliefs/thoughts4. Sociocultural: how social and cultural influences affect thoughts, feelings, behavior- how society and culture influence who you are- looks at how if you were born a different gender or grew up elsewhere, how would that change you?- Most underestimate the power of culture and society5. Psychodynamic: how unconscious conflicts, inner forces affect behavior, thoughts, feelings- Freud- Family of origin / childhood issues- We have an unconscious- ex: driving car and forget how you got from place A to B6. Humanistic: how to create a fulfilled life- believe our core and nature are good- if given right experiences and opportunities, we would all be good- Free Will/Choices- Be all that you can be –be your best- Positive psychology- studies happiness of psychologyOCD BEHAVIOR VIDEO- Schools of thought in action-1. People with OCD are consumed by anxious thoughts- COGNITIVE2. OCD symptoms can be brought on by hidden unconscious fears stemming from childhood experiences- PSYCHODYNAMIC3. Compulsive behaviors are reinforced because they reduce anxiety- BEHAVIORISM4. OCD behavior is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain- BIOLIGICAL5. A National emphasis on perfection promotes OCD symptoms- SOCIOCULTURAL6. OCD can manifest when we are not living a meaningful and fulfilled life-Specialty Areas in PsychologyBasic Psychology: research, publishApplied Psychology: finding practical uses for the research- applying the research to real life situationsTypes of Psychologists Experimental Psychologist: focus on laboratory studies of various topics- is the advisor to other types of psychologists so they know the best way to test a hypothesis/experimentEducational Psychologist: research ways to improve educational systemsDevelopmental Psychologist: how we grow and change throughout the lifespan- Industrial/Organizational Psychologist: behavior in the work place, effective business practicesPsychometric Psychologists: design and evaluate tests- interest, personality, IQSchool Psychologist: works with parents, teachers, students to solve problemsClinical Psychologist: focus on understand and treating emotional problems, abnormal or dysfunctional behaviorCounseling Psychologist: focus on helping people with adjustment problems and helping people make career choicesStill Face Experiment- video- shows how baby reacts to the mothers still face (mom does not show any type of emotion)The Big Question? What’s a “shrink”?Clinical PsychologistPsychiatristGoals of PsychologyDescribe- teens, drug use and their attitudes about drug use- collect date, analyze resultsTotally made up date but an example:Use drugs Attitude about drugs60% not use drugs drugs are bad20% use drugs are good20% don’t drugs are goodPredict- What future trend can we predict based on the data we collected? Predict- teen drug use will increase in the next 5 yearsUnderstand- why do teens use drugs? Why do they think its okay?Modify- change things for the better- how can we influence teens so that they don’t use drugs or think its okay to use them?How Psychologists Do ResearchTheory: explanation of something- WHY?Hypothesis: a prediction based on a theory- more specific version of your theory- is testable-specifically test the prediction of hypothesisEXAMPLES:All made up:Theory- the media influences teens to use drugs- one of the reasons teens may use drugsHypothesis- the more media a teen is exposed to, the more likely the teen is to use drugsTheory- aggressive people are bad driversHypothesis- the more aggressive a person is, the worse his/her driving will beOperational Definition: how what is in question will be measured- defining a term
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